Andre Esterhuizen joins this illustrious list of Springbok captains

Rassie Erasmus somewhat surprisingly has handed Andre Esterhuizen the Springbok captaincy for Sunday’s one-off Test against Australia, giving the experienced centre his first opportunity to lead South Africa at international level.

Erasmus named a new-look Springbok team for the clash against the Wallabies, with Esterhuizen’s appointment one of the biggest talking points from the selection.

The Sharks star has previously captained his club side and has become an important member of the Springbok squad.

Erasmus said Esterhuizen had earned the opportunity through his contributions both on and off the field.

“He captained the Sharks, and he has brought so much to our squad off and on the field, both at centre and in the loose trio, and he thoroughly deserves this opportunity,” Erasmus said.

Building the Springbok leadership group

Erasmus also believes giving Esterhuizen the captaincy will strengthen the Springboks’ wider leadership group.

Several players have captained South Africa in recent seasons, and the coach said Esterhuizen’s opportunity would further develop that depth.

“It will also help build our leadership core even more within the team with several players having captained the side over the last few seasons,” Erasmus said.

“We trust that he is the right man to take over the captaincy in this match.”

Andre Esterhuizen, who will be playing his 36th Test, will become the 68th Springbok skipper of all time. He will lead two former captains in Handre Pollard and Eben Etzebeth.

Add another milestone

The appointment comes as Erasmus made 13 changes to his starting team following their intense four-Test Rugby Championship series against the All Blacks.

Andre Esterhuizen will now have the opportunity to add another milestone to his international career when he leads the world champions against the Wallabies.

The one-off Test against Australia takes place on Sunday, 27 September as the Springboks continue their campaign on the international stage.

Kick-off is at 11:45 (SA time).

Springbok team

15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen (captain), 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Jasper Wiese, 21 Morne van den Berg, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Quan Horn

Springbok captains in chronological order

Number	Captain
1	H.H. Castens
2	Bob Snedden
3	Alf Richards
4	Francis Myburgh
5	Ferdie Aston
6	Fairy Heatlie
7	Alex Frew
8	Jackie Powell
9	Paddy Carolin
10	Paul Roos
11	Dougie Morkel
12	Billy Millar
13	Uncle Dobbin
14	Boy Morkel
15	PK Albertyn
16	Phil Mostert
17	Bennie Osler
18	Phil Nel
19	Danie Craven
20	Felix du Plessis
21	Basil Kenyon
22	Hennie Muller
23	Stephen Fry
24	Basie Vivier
25	Salty du Rand
26	Johan Claassen
27	Des van Jaarsveldt
28	Roy Dryburgh
29	Avril Malan
30	Abie Malan
31	Nelie Smith
32	Dawie de Villiers
33	Tommy Bedford
34	Hannes Marais
35	Piet Greyling
36	Morné du Plessis
37	Theuns Stofberg
38	Wynand Claassen
39	Divan Serfontein
40	Naas Botha
41	Jannie Breedt
42	Francois Pienaar
43	Tiaan Strauss
44	Adriaan Richter
45	Gary Teichmann
46	Corné Krige
47	Rassie Erasmus
48	Joost van der Westhuizen
49	André Vos
50	Bobby Skinstad
51	John Smit
52	Victor Matfield
53	Johann Muller
54	Jean de Villiers
55	Schalk Burger jnr
56	Fourie du Preez
57	Adriaan Strauss
58	Warren Whiteley
59	Eben Etzebeth
60	Pieter-Steph du Toit
61	Siya Kolisi
62	Duane Vermeulen
63	Schalk Brits
64	Handré Pollard
65	Bongi Mbonambi
66	Salmaan Moerat
67	Jesse Kriel
68	Andre Esterhuizen